Temperature modulated inflated and deflated support cushion

ABSTRACT

The invention disclosed herein is directed to a temperature modulated, inflated and deflated support cushion and methods of use for providing comfort and reducing or alleviating the development of pressure sores for persons confined to wheelchairs or beds for extended time periods. The disclosed invention is particularly adaptable as a support cushion in the form of a mattress, mattress cover, seat cushion, or seat cushion cover and can be combined with any mattress or seat to provide temperature modulated, inflating and deflating cellular support cushions. Two components of the disclosed invention are critical. Utilizing a plurality of flexible and hollow cells capable of being repeatedly filled and depleted with a fluid, preferable air, the cells being arranged so that (1) the cells being depleted are next to or contiguous only with cells that are not being depleted, those cells being depleted of fluid must not be in contact with the individual such that a pocket of air exists between the depleted cell(s) and the individual, and (2) the temperature of the cells is maintained at or about an average of about 5 degrees Fahrenheit less than the average body temperature of a healthy human, but not less than about 25 degrees Celsius. The phrase “pocket of air” as used herein is intended to convey a gap or space between deflated cell(s) and the skin (even in circumstances where a sheet or other cover is between the cushion and the skin) such that skin surrounding the pocket or air is supported by non-depleted cells, and the skin directly above or on the region of depleted cells is not in contacted with the depleted cells. In this manner, those portions of the skin above the pocket of air created by the fully depleted cell(s) are, in essence, not in contact with the cushion to allow complete disassociation between those portions of the skin and the depleted cell(s). The term “average” in reference temperature of the cells is intended to convey that the temperature can be regulated so as not to be uncomfortable for the individual using the cushion, and need not be maintained at a constant temperature.

RELATED APPLICATION

This case is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/046,358, “Inflatingand Deflating Cellular Support Cushion and Methods of Use Thereof” filedJan. 28, 2005 by Leonard Glass, now abandoned, and incorporated hereinby reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of supportcushions, and particularly to temperature modulated inflated anddeflated support cushions and methods for their use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pressure sores, or bedsores, occur when the body tissue of a person isconfined to a bed or wheelchair for extended periods of time withoutmuch movement. In hospital and retirement-home settings, significanttime and energy is utilized in an effort to move patients so as to avoidbedsores. In most cases, patients need to be moved every two hours in aneffort to avoid or reduce the potential for bed sores. Those confined towheelchairs often must shift positions or be shifted to avoid pressuresores. Pressure sores occur when the body weight of a person, coupledwith the forces of gravity, places pressure on the body tissue againstthe surface supporting the person. When this pressure occurs overextended periods without frequent movement, the blood flow to the tissueunder such pressure can decrease or terminate, leading to tissueischemia. Within hours, this shortage of blood supply may lead to tissuedamage and cell death. The sore will initially start as a red, painfularea, which eventually turns purple, and if left untreated, the skin maybreak open and become infected. Moist skin is more sensitive to tissueischemia and cell death, and is also more likely to get infected.

Efforts to alleviate the occurrence of pressure sores have beenattempted. Modulation of the temperature of the material against whichthe skin rests indicate that with increasing temperature, tissue damageoccurs, and that in a porcine model, at temperatures of about 25 degreesCelsius (about 77 degrees Fahrenheit), no tissue damage in superficialor deep tissue was observed. Kokate, J. et al “Temperature-modulatedpressure ulcers: A porcine model.” Archives of Physical Medicine andRehabilitation, 76:7, 666-673 (1995), incorporated herein by reference.The use of inflated cushions for varying the air pressure in selectedportions of the cushion to change the area of support in an attempt toimprove blood circulation have also been suggested. The cushiondescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,195, incorporated herein by reference,is one such device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed herein is directed to a temperature modulated,inflated and deflated support cushion and methods of use for providingcomfort and reducing or alleviating the development of pressure soresfor persons confined to wheelchairs or beds for extended time periods.The disclosed invention is particularly adaptable as a support cushionin the form of a mattress, mattress cover, seat cushion, or seat cushioncover and can be combined with any mattress or seat to providetemperature modulated, inflating and deflating cellular supportcushions.

Two components of the disclosed invention are critical. Utilizing aplurality of flexible and hollow cells capable of being repeatedlyfilled and depleted with a fluid, preferable air, the cells beingarranged so that (1) the cells being depleted are next to or contiguousonly with cells that are not being depleted, those cells being depletedof fluid must not be in contact with the individual such that a pocketof air exists between the depleted cell(s) and the individual, and (2)the temperature of the cells is maintained at or about an average of 5degrees Fahrenheit lower (−15 degrees Celsius) than the average bodytemperature of a healthy human, but with the temperature of the cellsnot less than about 25 degrees Celsius. The phrase “pocket of air” asused herein is intended to convey a gap or space between deflatedcell(s) and the skin (even in circumstances where a sheet or other coveris between the cushion and the skin) such that skin surrounding thepocket or air is supported by non-depleted cells, and the skin directlyabove or on the region of depleted cells is not in contacted with thedepleted cells. In this manner, those portions of the skin above thepocket of air created by the fully depleted cell(s) are, in essence, notin contact with the cushion to allow complete disassociation betweenthose portions of the skin and the depleted cell(s). The term “average”in reference temperature of the cells is intended to convey that thetemperature can be regulated so as not to be uncomfortable for theindividual using the cushion, and need not be maintained at a constanttemperature an average of 5 degrees Fahrenheit lower than the averagebody temperature of a healthy human, but with the temperature of thecells not less than about of 25 degrees Celsius. This temperatureregulation is preferably consistently maintained but may be increased toambient temperatures for comfort for relatively short periods of time.The intent is to maintain the skin at a temperature to assist inalleviating or preventing pressure sores.

The invention provides a temperature modulated support cushion includinga plurality of flexible and hollow cells capable of being repeatedlyfilled and depleted with a fluid, the cells being arranged so that thecells being depleted are next to or contiguous only with cells that arenot being depleted, the depleted cells are depleted of fluid such thatwhen depleted, a pocket of air exists between the depleted cells and theindividual using the cushion; one or more manifolds capable of directingthe fluid to or from the plurality of flexible and hollow cells; one ormore pumping means connected to one or more manifolds for filling anddepleting the plurality of flexible and hollow cells with the fluid; andmeans for regulating, changing and maintaining the temperature of thefluid.

Preferably, four separate zones of cells are utilized, each zone beingconnected via a unified manifold, such that when placed together, asingular cushion is established. Each cell within the zones ispreferably of the same dimension, most preferably having a width anddepth of about one and one-half inches, and a height of about twoinches. The top portion of each cell may be flat, and most preferablyhas and inwardly-angular shape with a flat surface. These dimensions areproportional and for guidance only. For example, for a seat cushion,these dimensions are most preferred, whereas for a mattress, thedimensions may be larger, or the number of cells utilized can be greaterin number. The number of cells per zone need not be identical, dependingon the shape of the cushion. The objective of the dimension and cellnumber is to ensure that when deflated, the cell creates theaforementioned pocket of air. Most preferably, the fluid is directedinto and out of the cells by a single pump that can be programmed oradjusted to allow for inflation or deflation of the cells; however,separate pumps can be used for each zone. The time period for deflationand inflation is preferably adjustable and need not be identical foreach zone. Preferably, each zone should be deflated for a period notless than about two minutes, and not more than about six minutes, mostpreferably for about 3 minutes. For example, and not by way oflimitation, in a four-zone cushion, the times for deflation can bevaried such that, for example, the deflation time for zone A can be 2minutes, for zones B and C, 4 minutes, and zone D, 6 minutes. Thesetimes can be adjusted such that the times vary by cycle and are notstatic, for example, using the foregoing example as cycle 1, in cycle 2,the times 4 minutes, 2 minutes and 6 minutes, in cycle 3, 6 minutes, 4minutes, and 2 minutes, etc. Those skilled in the art are capable ofsecuring programmable devices that allow for such cyclical variation.Most preferably, the fluid is air whose temperature can be adjustedusing standard and well recognized means by those skilled in the art fortemperature control.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A depicts a top view of a preferred embodiment of the temperaturemodulated inflated and deflated cushion, with four cell-zones, each zonehaving a plurality of flexible and hollow cells and manifoldconnections.

FIG. 1B depicts a preferred embodiment of a single flexible and hollowcell for use in the temperature controlled inflated and deflated supportcushion, the cell having a dome-shaped top portion.

FIGS. 2A, B, C and D depict a top view of four separate, inter-fittingzones for use in the temperature controlled inflated and deflatedsupport cushion, each zone having a plurality of flexible and hollowcells and manifold connections.

FIG. 3 depicts and expansion view of four separate, inter-fitting zonesaligned with each other to form a singular temperature controlledinflated and deflated support cushion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention disclosed herein is directed to a temperature controlled,inflated and deflated cellular support cushion and methods for the usethereof, wherein the cellular support cushion is able to be maintainedat a pre-determined and adjustable temperature and inflate and deflatein order to ensure that a pocket of air, as defined, exists between adeflated portion of the cushion and the person sitting, reclining orlying thereon, in order to, most preferably, release the steady pressureof body weight against the support cushion on certain areas of theperson's body.

The disclosed invention includes a plurality of temperature controlledinflated and deflated hollow cells capable of being repeatedly filledand depleted with a fluid, whereby, most preferable, the temperature ofthe fluid can be controlled, adjusted and/or regulated to secure adefined and preferred temperature of about 5 degrees Fahrenheit lessthan the average body temperature of a healthy human, but with thetemperature of the cells not less than about 25 degrees Celsius, thecells being capable of being fully depleted of fluid such that whendepleted, a pocket of air, as defined, exists between the top portion ofthe depleted cell and the person sitting, reclining or lying thereon,and arranged so that cells that are being depleted of fluid are next toor contiguous only with cells that are not being depleted. The cells canbe constructed of any suitable material, for example, plastic, rubber,fabric, paper or a combination thereof, so long as the interior volumeof the hollow cells are made impermeable to air or other fluids withrespect to the exterior of the hollow cells. The cells can be configuredin any suitable shape, and most preferable are of the same shape anddimension in a cushion, for example, circular cells, oval cells, squarecells, or similar shapes, that together, when placed in inter-connectedzones, are able to form a substantially uniform surface. The shape ofthe cells, and the dimensions thereof, are within the purview of theskilled artisan, with the understanding that the critical nature of thecells is that when depleted, a pocket of air, as defined, exists betweenthe depleted cell(s) and the person lying, sitting or reclining thereon.The cells must be capable of being repeatedly filled and then depletedwith a fluid. The fluid may be any suitable fluid for comfortable bodyor tissue support and capable of being temperature-regulated, forexample, air, gases, liquids, oils or similar fluids, with air beingmost preferred. In addition, the cells that are being depleted must benext to or contiguous only with cells that are not being depleted suchthat the cells being depleted are substantially surrounded by, next to,or contiguous with cells which remain filled with fluid and are notdepleted. Preferably, the cells are configured within multiple zones,each zone of cells being capable of being filled and depletedindependent of other zones.

The disclosed invention also includes one or more manifolds, forexample, tubes, channels or other suitable manifolds known to those inthe art, capable of directing fluid to and from the plurality oftemperature modulated inflated and deflated flexible and hollow cells.For example, each cell of the cushion may have its own manifold,however, it is most preferred that to provide a separate manifold fordirecting the fluid to separate and different cell-zones. A manifoldthat directs the fluid to a group or zone of cells may provide the fluidto each cell of the group or zone individually, but most preferably, themanifold directs the fluid to one or more of the cells in the group orzone wherein the interior volume of the cells of that particular groupor zone are configured to be in fluid communication with one another,for example with channels or tubes, and the directing of the fluid toone or more of the cells of that group or zone causes the fluid to bedirected to all the cells of that group or zone. The disclosed inventionalso includes one or more pumping means known to those in the artconnected to one or more manifolds for filling and depleting theplurality of cells with fluid.

The disclosed invention also includes means for regulating thetemperature of the fluid which temperature can be maintained, increasedor decreased depending on the particular needs and use of the cushion.Most preferably, the temperature of the fluid is maintained at aconstant temperature, with the temperature at an average of less than 5degrees Fahrenheit below the average body temperature of a healthyhuman, but with the temperature of the cells not less than about 25degrees Celsius, whereby the cell temperature(s) can be adjusteddepending on the needs of the patient or user. The benefit of the lowertemperature is predicated upon studies suggesting that pressure soresare reduced or alleviated when the temperature of the material incontact with the skin is at about 25 degrees Celsius. Devices forregulating, adjusting and/or maintaining fluids, such as those useful inthe disclosed invention, are well known to those in the art.

In a preferred embodiment of the disclosed invention, the plurality oftemperature regulated inflated and deflated plurality of flexible andhollow cells comprise four distinct zones of cells, wherein each of theinter-fitting zones of cells includes spatially separate andnon-contiguous flexible and hollow cells that are capable ofinter-fitting with each other to form a uniform surface such as depictedin FIG. 1A. In a preferred embodiment of the cushion for use as asitting cushion, each cell has the size, shape and dimensions as setforth in FIG. 1A. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that as thesize of the cushion is increase, for example, for use as a bed-mattress,the size of each cell may not proportionally increase, while the numberof cells and shape of cells may be changed. The objective in thedimension of the cells is to ensure that when the fluid therein isremoved, a pocket of air, a s defined, exists between the top portion ofthe cell(s) and the body of the person sitting, reclining or laying onthe cushion.

With reference to FIGS. 2A through D, four distinct zones, each zonehaving its own manifold (which can be connected to four different pumpsfor the fluid, or a singular fluid pump) are shown. Wheninter-connected, as shown in FIG. 3, the zones form a substantiallyuniform surface. The inter-fitting of the zones allows for differentcell numbers per zone to allow for a uniform shape for the cushion andthese numbers are not pre-determined. What matters is that wheninter-fitted, the zones create a substantially uniform shape for use asrequired, for example, a sitting cushion or mattress. As shown in FIGS.2A through D, each zone has a different number of cells and/orarrangement of cells: zone A has 25 cells, zone B, 20; zone c 20; andzone D, 16. Again, this is provided for purposes of illustration and notlimitation. Each zone in this embodiment is configured such that thecells within each zone are filled and depleted of fluid at the same timesuch that, for example, when zones A, B and C are filled with fluid,zone D may be deflated, and so on. As will be apparent, wheninter-fitted, in such an example, when the cells of zone D are deflated,no cells next to or contiguous with any of the cells of zone D are alsodeflated.

In certain embodiments, each cell can be inflated and deflatedindividually using separate manifolds attached to each cell. If cellsare to be inflated and deflated in groups, as is most preferred, it ispreferred that the interior volume of the hollow cells of particularzone or group of cells be in fluid communication with one another, forexample with channels or tubes, and a different manifold be connected toeach group or zone for inflating and deflating the cells of each groupor zone separately, as depicted in FIG. 2A through D.

With further reference to FIG. 1B, the top surface of each of the cellsis substantially in the shape of a dome. This is a preferred embodimentbecause as body weight applies to the top surface of the cells, the topsurfaces will have a tendency to be pressed downward and flatten outwhen a downward pressure is applied. With a dome-shaped top surface, thecells will have a tendency to flatten out slightly under pressure andproduce a more uniform support surface. It is preferred that the sizeand shape of each cell be substantially identical in the cushion tocreate a uniform surface.

The duration of the inflating and deflating of the cells can be variedsuch that the times for each zone are identical or different, and thesecan be rotated over a period of time to create variations in the timethat each cell is deflated, and the length of time that the cells ineach zone are deflated. Preferably, each zone should be deflated for aperiod not less than about two minutes, and not more than about sixminutes, most preferably for about 3 minutes. For example, and not byway of limitation, in a four-zone cushion, the times for deflation canbe Varied such that, for example, the deflation time for zone A can be 2minutes, for zones B and C, 4 minutes, and zone D, 6 minutes. Thesetimes can be adjusted such that the times vary by cycle and are notstatic, for example, using the foregoing example as cycle 1, in cycle 2,the times 4 minutes, 2 minutes and 6 minutes, in cycle 3, 6 minutes, 4minutes, and 2 minutes, etc. Those skilled in the art are capable ofsecuring programmable devices that allow for such cyclical variation.

In use, the cushion as disclosed herein can be utilized as a cushion on,for example, a wheelchair, or a cushion-cover for use on furniture, or amattress for a bed, or mattress-cover for use on a standardbed-mattress. Monitors can be utilized for the cushion in, for example,a hospital or similar setting to ensure that the temperature of thefluid, and the inflation/deflation cycles of the cells are properlymaintained or adjusted.

The headings are for convenience of the reader and should not be used tolimit the meaning of the text that follows the heading unless sospecified. Those skilled in the art, having read and appreciated theinvention disclosed herein, will understand that various changes anddepartures may be made to the disclosed invention without departing fromthe spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly, it is not intended that theinvention be limited to that specifically disclosed in the specificationor as illustrated in the drawings, but only as set forth in the claims.

1. A temperature modulated inflated and deflated cushion comprising: a.a plurality of flexible and hollow cells capable of being repeatedlyfilled and depleted with a fluid, the cells being arranged so that thecells that are being depleted are next to or contiguous only with cellsthat are not being depleted, whereby when depleted, a pocket of airexists between the upper most portion of the depleted cells and the bodyof a person sitting thereon; b. one or more manifolds capable ofdirecting the fluid to and from the plurality of flexible and hollowcells; c. one or more pumping means connected to one or more manifoldsfor filing and depleting the plurality of flexible and hollow cells withthe fluid; and d. means for adjusting the temperature of the fluid. 2.The cushion of claim 1 wherein the temperature of the fluid ismaintained at a temperature of about 5 degrees Fahrenheit less than theaverage body temperature of a healthy human.
 3. The cushion of claim 2wherein the temperature of the fluid is maintained at a temperature ofabout 25 degrees Celsius.
 4. A method of providing cushioning supportcomprising: a. providing a plurality of flexible and hollow cellscapable of being repeatedly filled and depleted with a fluid, the cellsbeing arranged so that the cells that are being depleted are next to orcontiguous only with cells that are not being depleted, whereby whendepleted, a pocket of air exists between the upper most portion of thedepleted cells and the body of a person sitting thereon; b. providingone or more manifolds capable of directing the fluid to and from theplurality of flexible and hollow cells; c. providing one or more pumpingmeans connected to one or more manifolds for filing and depleting theplurality of flexible and hollow cells with the fluid; d. providingmeans for adjusting the temperature of the fluid; e. depleting the fluidfrom a fraction of the plurality of flexible and hollow cells for aperiod of time; f. filling with the fluid the depleted fraction of theplurality of flexible and hollow cells after the period of time
 5. Themethod of claim 4 wherein the temperature of the fluid is maintained ata temperature of about 5 degrees Fahrenheit less than the average bodytemperature of a healthy human.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein thetemperature of the fluid is maintained at a temperature of about 25degrees Celsius.
 7. The method of claim 4 wherein the period of time ofstep (e) is not greater than about six minutes.
 8. The method of claim 7wherein the period of time of step (e) is about two minutes.